Anything you can do, Dad...

FORMER Manchester United star Andy Cole has just retired from the game – but his teenage son may be about to step into his famous father’s football boots. North Cestrian Grammar School pupil and star striker Devante Cole, 13, has been snapped up by Manchester City’s prestigious training academy.

FORMER Manchester United star Andy Cole has just retired from the game – but his teenage son may be about to step into his famous father’s football boots.

North Cestrian Grammar School pupil and star striker Devante Cole, 13, has been snapped up by Manchester City’s prestigious training academy.

But although the Altrincham schoolboy was also offered a place on Manchester United’s training scheme, his dad – who played for both City and United – encouraged him to follow his own dreams.

Andy told the Metro News: "He had an opportunity when he was younger with either Manchester United or City. But I wouldn’t force him to go to either one. It was best that he was comfortable and he enjoyed it. All the kids at Man City are very grounded – they are very respectful. They all work very hard for each other."

Andy, 37, who lives in Cheshire, was a member of United’s famous 1999 treble-winning squad and is the second-highest Premiership scorer ever.

He said: "To get to the top in professional football is a very long, hard road. It is important that Devante enjoys it now – and gets no pressure from his dad.

"I would say it is easier now – it was a lot harder when I started out. There are more opportunities now. When I started it was a lot more difficult."

Devante – who is also the Lower School Junior Captain – takes every Friday off school to train at the City Academy in Platt Fields, Fallowfield.

He plays around eight hours of football a week and has an hour’s substitute after-school maths tuition on Wednesday and an hour of French on Thursday.

His favourite players are Cristiano Ronaldo and Darren Bent, and he supports Manchester City – but added it’s not just because he plays with them. He said: "There is enough time for both sport and school. Maybe I would like to get into computers if I don’t become a footballer."

And does he feel pressure because of his famous footballing pedigree? "Not really. They have to respect it."

His dad – who also has a seven-year-old daughter, Faith – said coaching was a possibility for the future.

He added: "I have also done quite a lot of TV work and I have really enjoyed it – it has been something a bit different. I have had a really good response since I retired."

Martin Sharpe, head of North Cestrian Lower School, said: "Manchester United players Frank Stapleton and Paul McGrath both had children here. It has become a bit of a tradition, which is a very good thing. It is not just about the football. Although the school has a very good reputation for sport as well. We concentrate on the individual child."